Tips: Community Radio and You
Did you know that there are around 450 community radio stations across all of Australia, with nearly 300 of them focusing on music programming?
Did you know that music programmers and radio presenters are hungry for new, local music to share – it could be your sound they are keen for.
Get your music on AMRAP to connect and distribute your music directly to community radio – it’s free and it plays a really important role in new emerging artists to grow their audiences!
A quick overview
Community radio stations across Australia play a vital role in championing local and emerging artists.
Last week, at the Victorian Music Development (VMDO)’s Data Insights Summit, a report was delivered that, for the first time, measured the social return on investment (SROI) community radio has for the Australian music scene. The report, titled ‘Community Radio and Australian Music: Building the Music Media Ecosystem’ was led by researchers from Monash University and Griffith University and supported by organisations across the community broadcasting and Australian music sectors.
Let’s take a look at the key findings:
- 292 community radio music stations contribute more than $153 million annually to the Australian music industries
- Up to $5.55 returned for every $1 invested (median return of $2.47 for the top 39 high-intensity stations)
- Community radio stations broadcast more than 390,000 hours of Australian music annually.
- Community broadcasting reaches more than 5.39 million Australians every week.
- 62% of listeners say they listen to community radio to hear Australian music.
- Community broadcasting is powered by approximately 18,100 volunteers.
- Around two-thirds of the community broadcasting sector is made up of music-focused stations.
- Across all community radio stations, the sector plays 37% Australian music, exceeding the 25% quota required under the Community Radio Broadcasting Codes of Practice.
- 1.3 million people purchased a ticket to a gig or bought merch after hearing that artist on community radio.
- 19% (1 million) said that community radio is the only broadcaster that plays the Australian music they want to listen to.
"From the moment that I started touring regionally, community radio was just absolutely part of every time I did a series of interviews for those tours … even the tour that I can think of just recently that I did, community radio is a huge part of the press that I do for those tours."
– Sarah Blasko
“I just wouldn’t want to be an artist entering this industry right now without community radio.”
– MO’JU
"When I’m played … it helps continue that much-needed effect of Indigenous people seeing Indigenous people and then believing. Seeing is believing, so representation matters… then blackfellas start to see themselves in the station."
– DOBBY
"If we went and did a live performance on air at a community radio station the day before the show, we were selling a minimum of 20 to 30 tickets the next night. And that’s huge when you’re trying to break into new spaces.”
- L-FRESH The LION
Check out more artists’ stories about community radio at the new podcast series Community Radio: Our National Sound. The podcast accompanies the research.
450 community radio stations across the country. Source: CBAA
An intro to amrap.org.au
We checked in with Andrew Khedoori, Music Director at the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA). CBAA run amrap.org.au - an initiative that distributes and promotes contemporary Australian music to community radio stations nationwide. Amrap.org.au helps get new Australian music airplay, and supports community radio broadcasters to promote new Australian music on air and online.
“Community radio is where most artists receive their first airplay,” says Andrew. “AMRAP is free for Australian artists and accredited broadcasters from community radio stations to use and it’s a big part of how so many presenters discover new Australian music to champion. This where you find your people in community radio! The numbers tell the story - around 2,000 tracks are uploaded every month by over 800 artists, and stations are downloading more than 10,000 tracks monthly.”
Whilst the way people consume music has changed over the past decades, community radio remains a consistent presence, says Andrew. “community radio and its grassroots culture hasn’t shifted in its ability to deliver great listening experiences for audiences looking to hear their next favourite local act.”
Looking ahead, what does the future of community radio look like?
CBAA and other partners have developed a strategic plan Roadmap 2033, which aims to amplify a diversity of new Australian music at scale.
Community radio plays a vital role in giving platforms to emerging artists early in their career, long before international tours or international recognition begins.
“You can't export what hasn't been discovered and developed at home first”, says Andrew. ‘Community radio is where that discovery and development happen - particularly for First Nations artists, regional voices, multicultural communities, and culturally and linguistically diverse artists who don't fit commercial radio formats.”
So, how can emerging artists set themselves up for success using AMRAP?
1. Upload your music to amrap.org.au!
Your tracks become accessible to thousands of broadcasters across Australia.
2. Ensure your profile is complete – including your genre/s, your location, your bio etc.
3. From there, you can see which presenters have downloaded your tracks, and which stations have played your music
“You can contact those presenters via their profiles on amrap.org,au to touch base”, says Andrew. “You can also find presenters who download particular types of music, and by location. There are plenty of presenters you can make long term connections with and maintain relationships with. They’re passionate about what they do!”
4. If you're having trouble, head to the AMRAP Knowledge Base to answer any FAQs.
Keen to know more? RSVP to free upcoming webinar!
Andrew Khedoori will be presenting a free online Insights session specifically about AMRAP and how to make it work for you, on 23 July.
Be sure to RSVP!
